Murphy: NJ schools can hold outdoor graduations for class of 2020 starting July 6

Governor Murphy allows graduations to happen outdoors starting in July

FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce reports on school districts in New Jersey working to handle outdoor graduations starting in July after Governor Murphy allows graduations to happen.

TRENTON, N.J. - Governor Phil Murphy announced Tuesday morning that New Jersey schools will be able to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies beginning later this summer.

As of July 6, schools will have the opportunity to hold ceremonies for the class of 2020 in outdoor settings.

Gov. Murphy says the ceremonies will still need to comply with social distancing guidelines “ensuring the health and safety of all in attendance.”

A general view of a sign Congratulating the Millburn Class of 2020 Graduates in front of an empty Millburn High School during the coronavirus pandemic on May 3, 2020 in Millburn, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The governor said during a Tuesday morning press conference that further guidance on these ceremonies and the expected capacities would be released on Wednesday.

The following guidelines for the ceremonies were released Tuesday afternoon:

Must take place on or after July 6, 2020;
Must take place outdoors or be drive-in/drive-through (no indoor ceremonies will be allowed);
Must adhere to the relevant capacity limitation in place at the time of the ceremony (this may require districts to hold multiple ceremonies held over a period of time to ensure capacity restrictions are not exceeded);
Districts and institutions must determine the minimum number of staff and faculty necessary to facilitate commencement ceremonies and adjust attendance requirements accordingly;
Caps, gowns, diplomas, and other materials must be mailed to individual student homes, sent electronically where possible, or otherwise distributed in a manner that complies with social distancing guidelines;
All activities must be coordinated in consultation with municipal officials, such as the local Office of Emergency Management, local law enforcement, first responders, and local health officials.

To date, schools, staff, and students have been finding their own ways to celebrate graduates with virtual ceremonies and even drive-by parades.

Schools are closed through June because of the outbreak, but this is the latest easing of restrictions, which have included opening parks and golf courses along with the state’s beaches.